Imagine knowing your child is safe and cared for while you’re at work, without the heavy burden of student care fees weighing on your mind.
As someone who’s helped countless families navigate the Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) scheme, I understand how confusing it can be to figure out if you qualify or how to apply.
But don’t worry, you’re in the right place.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- What the SCFA is and how it works
- Who qualifies for the scheme
- How to apply and what documents you need
- Options for children with special needs
Curious to see if you qualify or how the SCFA can lighten your load?
Let’s dive in and find out!
What is the Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA)?
The Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA), administered by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), is a vital scheme designed to support families in Singapore who need help with student care fees.
If you’re a parent struggling with the cost of after-school care for your child, the SCFA can significantly reduce your financial burden by subsidising fees at Student Care Centres (SCCs).
This programme is particularly beneficial for low-income families, ensuring that their children receive quality care and supervision in a safe environment.
For working parents, it offers peace of mind knowing that their children are well looked after during the hours they can’t be home.
The SCFA is an important initiative aimed at bridging the gap for families who might otherwise struggle to afford such care, allowing parents to focus on work or other commitments without worrying about the safety and well-being of their children.
Who can apply?
- Your child must be a Singaporean Citizen or Permanent Resident, with at least one immediate family member in the household being a Singaporean Citizen.
- The child must be between 7 to 14 years old.
- Your child must be enrolled in a Student Care Centre (SCC) registered with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
- Both you and your spouse must work at least 56 hours per month.
- Your monthly household income must be $4,500 or less, or the per capita income (income per family member) must be $1,125 or less.
How much do you get from the Student Care Fee Assistance scheme?
For households with 4 or fewer family members | For households with 5 or more family members | Subsidy for SCCs with fees < $295 | Subsidy for SCCs with fees ≥ $295 |
Gross Household Income ($) | Gross Per Capita Income ($) | Subsidy (%) | Maximum subsidy ($) |
≤ 1,500 | ≤ 375 | 98 | 290 |
1,501 – 2,000 | 376 – 500 | 95 | 280 |
2,001 – 2,200 | 501 – 550 | 90 | 266 |
2,201 – 2,400 | 551 – 600 | 85 | 251 |
2,401 – 2,600 | 601 – 650 | 80 | 236 |
2,601 – 2,800 | 651 – 700 | 70 | 207 |
2,801 – 3,000 | 701 – 750 | 60 | 177 |
3,001 – 3,200 | 751 – 800 | 50 | 148 |
3,201 – 3,400 | 801 – 850 | 40 | 118 |
3,401 – 3,500 | 851 – 875 | 40 | 118 |
3,501 – 4,000 | 876 – 1,000 | 30 | 89 |
4,001 – 4,500 | 1,001 – 1,125 | 20 | 59 |
How to apply for the Student Care Fee Assistance scheme?
- Apply online via the SupportGoWhere platform.
- Submit income documents if you are employed (such as payslips or CPF contribution statements).
- Provide custody or guardianship-related documents if applicable.
- Include any other documents that may support your application, such as medical reports or proof of other financial assistance received.
But what if my child has special needs?
If your child has special needs, you’ll want to look into Special Student Care Centres that cater specifically to children with disabilities.
These centres offer both before and after school care for students aged 7 to 18 who attend special education (SPED) schools.
Beyond just supervision, these centres provide additional support tailored to your child’s unique needs, including educational support, social skills training, and life skills that help with independent living.
This way, your child can continue to develop essential skills in a safe, nurturing environment while you manage your daily responsibilities.
Who can apply?
- Your child must be a Singaporean Citizen or Permanent Resident, with at least one immediate family member in the household being a Singaporean Citizen.
- The child must be between 7 and 18 years old.
- Your child must be attending a Special Education (SPED) school.
- The child must be certified by a medical doctor to have a disability.
- Your gross monthly household income must be $9,200 or less, with a per capita income (income per family member) of $2,300 or less.
- Both parents must be working, though this requirement may be waived under certain conditions.
Subsidies and fee caps for students with disabilities in appointed SSCC by household income tier
Gross Monthly Household Income (HHI) for households with 4 or less immediate family members | Gross Per Capita Income (PCI) for families with 5 or more immediate family members | Fee Cap |
≤ $1,500 | < $375 | $11 |
$1,501 – $2,000 | $376 – $500 | $18 |
$2,001 – $2,200 | $501 – $550 | $35 |
$2,201 – $2,400 | $551 – $600 | $35 |
$2,401 – $2,600 | $601 – $650 | $35 |
$2,601 – $2,800 | $651 – $700 | $35 |
$2,801 – $3,000 | $701 – $750 | $78 |
$3,001 – $3,200 | $751 – $80 | $78 |
$3,201 -$3,400 | $801 – $850 | $78 |
$3,401 – $3,500 | $851 – $875 | $78 |
$3,501 – $4,000 | $876 – $1,000 | $142 |
$4,001 – $4,200 | $1,001 – $1,050 | $142 |
$4,201 – $4,500 | $1,051 – $1,125 | $250 |
$4,501 – $5,600 | $1,123 – $1,400 | $315 |
$5,601 – $6,500 | $1,401 – $1,625 | $500 |
$6,501 – $7,300 | $1,625 – $1,825 | $600 |
$7,301 – $8,200 | $1,826 – $2,050 | $730 |
$8,201 – $9,200 | $2,051 – $2,300 | $800 |
>$9,201 | >$2,300 | $832 |
Student Care Centre fees in Singapore
Centre Name | Monthly Student Care Fees |
Agora Student Care | $589 |
Big Heart Student Care | $290 before subsidies |
EduFirst Learning Centre | $350 before subsidie |
Graceland Student Care Centre | $380 before subsidies |
Little Professors Learning Centre | $230 before subsidies |
MindSpace | $1,360 |
Morning Star Community Services | $270 before subsidies |
NASCANS | $215 before subsidies |
PlayFACTO | $600 |
Raffles Student Care Centre | $215 before subsidies |
Singapore Edusmart Learning Hub | $215 before subsidies |
YMCA Student Care Centre | $260 before subsidies |
FAQs
My spouse is incarcerated. Can I exclude my spouse when applying for Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA)?
If your spouse is incarcerated, you can exclude them when applying for the Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) scheme.
The application allows for flexibility in such cases, and you won’t need to include your spouse’s income as part of the household income calculation.
However, you may need to provide supporting documents to confirm their status, so it’s a good idea to consult with the relevant authorities or your Student Care Centre for further clarification on the necessary steps.
What if I can’t afford the student care centre fee even with Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA)?
If you still can’t afford the student care centre fee even with Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA), there are additional support options you may explore.
You can reach out to your Student Care Centre or the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) for further advice, as they may offer other forms of financial assistance – perhaps ComCare or other childcare subsidies.
In some cases, centres may provide flexible payment plans or additional subsidies to ensure your child can still receive the care they need without putting too much financial strain on your family.
How can I become a legal guardian for my niece or nephew for Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA)?
To become a legal guardian for your niece or nephew for Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA), you will need to go through a formal legal process.
This involves applying for guardianship through the Family Justice Courts in Singapore.
You will need to provide documentation proving your relationship to the child and demonstrate that you can act in their best interests.
Once legal guardianship is granted, you can apply for SCFA on their behalf, including submitting the necessary documents that show your guardianship status.
It’s best to consult with legal professionals for guidance.
Conclusion
In summary, the Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) scheme is designed to help families in Singapore manage the cost of student care, ensuring that children are well cared for while parents focus on work.
Whether your child is in a mainstream Student Care Centre or has special needs and attends a Special Education (SPED) school, there are options available to ease your financial burden.
We’ve covered who’s eligible, how to apply, and what additional support is available for children with disabilities.
If you’re still unsure about the process or need help figuring out your eligibility, don’t worry.
Our trusted financial advisor partners are here to assist — completely free of charge.
Feel free to reach out and get the guidance you need!
References
- https://www.msf.gov.sg/what-we-do/student-care/home
- https://supportgowhere.life.gov.sg/schemes/SCFA/student-care-fee-assistance-scfa
- https://www.msf.gov.sg/docs/default-source/student-care/handbook-for-scfa-administrators.pdf?sfvrsn=fe41d69f_6
- https://ask.gov.sg/msf?topic=ComCare&subtopic=Student%20Care%20Fee%20Assistance
- https://ask.gov.sg/msf/questions/clwr714ma004us6kbfwerwydw
- https://file.go.gov.sg/case1-termsandconditionsonly-final-29nov2022.pdf
- https://form.gov.sg/61cd71e32e38540012daeff0